“entirely more prosaic combination of careerism and obedience.”
Different time, different culture and different place. In our bloated egotistical culture, egoism will trump careerism and blind obedience. The preservation of “I” will rise above all else. The egoists are the ultimate self-preservationists and will not obey if it means the possible destruction and obliteration of “I.” The grossly overfed, fat ego will not allow it.
This is why I admire the Christian culture. The individuals that make up Christianity think of others before themselves and are willing to sacrifice. They are not simpleton egoists but reflect a transcendent body of spirituality that left wing egoists can never hope to achieve.
The preservation of ‘I’ in a collective culture.
Interesting viewpoint and thinking about how many stand with their hand-out to preserve their ‘I’ and yet depend on the collective to provide for them.
The preservation of “I” is precisely why fat egotists will blindly obey.
Refusal implies resistance, which in turn requires effort. Effort risks failure.
Far simpler to obey and risk nothing.
Thass why they’re sheeple.